BBC inks Chinese deal for docu skeins

CCTV to show 'Generation Earth,' 'Wonders of Life'

BEIJING — BBC Worldwide has signed its first two co-production deals with CCTV-9, the documentary channel of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, for new science series “Generation Earth” and “Wonders of Life.”

BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm, brokered the deals and will distribute the series globally.

CCTV-9 will air the new Brian Cox series “Wonders of Life,” which examines the story of life through physics, in winter.

“Generation Earth,” a study of the most ambitious engineering projects on earth, will be broadcast on CCTV-9 next spring.

“BBC Worldwide has been doing business in China for over 20 years and has established a strong relationship with CCTV. We’re proud to bring the U.K. and Chinese creative sectors together on these educational and enlightening series,” said Steve Macallister, prexy and MD, sales and distribution at BBC Worldwide.

BBC Worldwide previously brokered a co-production for “Wild China” (known in China as “Beautiful China”), between the BBC’s Natural History Unit and CTV, a production company under CCTV. The series, distributed by BBC Worldwide, has been licensed to more than 160 countries.